Research Senior Associate

The Ohio State University

7d • $58,700 - $77,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

The College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University is seeking a Research Senior Associate to join Dr. Piasta’s team in the Early Literacy and Learning Lab (EL3) at the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy! The Research Senior Associate will work as the Project Coordinator for the NIH-funded project Optimizing Phonological Awareness Learning (OPAL). This is an in-person position based at the EL3 located in Columbus, Ohio. A flexible work agreement may be available, allowing for some remote work based on performance and operational needs. Candidates currently residing outside the state of Ohio may begin the role remotely; however, relocation to Columbus, Ohio will be required after the initial onboarding period. Project OPAL is a multi-university, longitudinal, randomized controlled trial of phonological sensitivity and/or phonemic awareness intervention for prekindergarten and kindergarten students at risk for reading difficulties. The Research Senior Associate will work in a setting that involves multiple universities, school districts and classrooms, and children and families. Oversee the long-term and day-to-day setting of and monitoring progress towards project deliverables. Hires, coordinates, and supervises research staff, research assistants, and field staff. Recruits and develops/maintains relationships with research partners, schools, teachers, and parents. Monitors intervention implementation, data collection, and data processing and is responsible for verifying completeness and accuracy. Coordinates field assessments and observations including intervention/assessment schedules, interventionist/assessor hiring, supervision, training activities, and quality control checks; conducts intervention sessions and assessments. Oversees maintenance activities to keep participants involved in the study longitudinally. Organizes and leads leadership/staff meetings, additional trainings, and workshops as needed. Oversee human subjects reports and compliance. Prepares annual and other reports. Supports Principal Investigator in achieving all project deliverables; and other duties as assigned. This position will require regular travel to/from schools/centers and the research lab. The position also requires satisfactory completion of a background check and paperwork required for working with students in schools. The position will begin in May 2026 (negotiable) with in-lab research activities and recruitment; school and center-based intervention and assessments will begin in the 2026-2027 school year. The position may be renewable through August 2029 contingent upon successful performance and available funding. The following links provide a sense of the research conducted by Dr. Piasta and within the EL3:

Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience required; 3 years of relevant experience required with Bachelor’s Degree, or 1 year of relevant experience required with Master’s Degree. Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Prior experience working with children (4-7 years of age)
• Prior experience working in a professional setting, ideally a school, early childhood center, clinic, research center, or child/youth program/nonprofit
• Considerable experience in project planning
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Adaptable and flexible
• Prior experience coordinating a team or managing a project
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a research team
• Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel; Zoom
• Reliable means of transportation to/from the Crane Center, schools, and centers
• Must complete a background check, fingerprinting, and other requirements to be able to work with children in schools/centers

Nice To Haves

• 6 or more years of relevant experience preferred
• Experience conducting social science research
• Experience with psychological and/or educational assessments
• Experience providing instruction or intervention in an education setting, particularly language and/or literacy instruction
• Knowledge about literacy development and evidence-based instruction
• Experience with OneDrive, Redcap, and SPSS
• Knowledge and experience with data confidentiality and security
• Prior experience leading a team
• Must pass FBI/BCI background check.
• Some or all of the following requirements and trainings must be met as part of onboarding to comply with partnering school licensing mandates:
• Second background check(s) through partnering schools
• Ohio Dept. of Education orientation training
• Medical form signed by a physician
• First aid
• CPR
• Child abuse and mandated reporting
• Communicable disease awareness and prevention

Responsibilities

• Provides overall leadership to the project, to include maintaining relations with all project entities (sub-awards/research partners, schools, teachers, families, consultants), overseeing and organizing ongoing project meetings and communications, managing and providing leadership to all OSU project staff (including problem solving any personnel issues), developing agendas and maintaining minutes for key project meetings and acting on project-wide decisions; assisting the PI as needed.
• Provides leadership to, supports, and engages in ongoing recruitment, intervention, data collection, and data processing activities; monitors completeness and integrity of all project activities and data; provides supervision of data-related activities and personnel; interfaces with data management core in the CCEC.
• Oversee and assesses progress towards all project deliverables relative to grant/MOU with grant agency; corrects timelines and staff allocations as needed; provides updates to investigators on progress towards key deliverables regularly.
• Generates and oversees documentation of all project activities, including annual reports, quarterly reports, and all paperwork required for human subject documentation and assurances.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
• Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
• State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees